History of Ohio Catholic

1950’s

  • In February 1954, thirteen members of St. Monica Parish and Reverend Hugh Gallagher formed St. Monica Garfield Heights Federal Credit Union.  Operation began on March 23, 1954.

1980’s

  • In 1981, credit union membership was expanded to include the members, employees, and immediate families of St. Martin of Tours Parish.  The name was changed to St. Monica/St. Martin Federal Credit Union and in 1982, the logo, SM/SM FCU, was adopted.
  • In May 1988, ground was broken for a new two-story building to house all credit union operations.  This location opened on October 22, 1988, as one of the finest financial institution buildings in the area.

1990’s

  • In 1994, the credit union’s field of membership was expanded to include St. Wenceslas Parish (Maple Heights) and employees of Light of Hearts Villa (Bedford).
  • In 1995, the advertised name of the credit union was changed to SM/SM Federal Credit Union.
  • On July 1, 1999, the St. Pius X Parish Credit Union, Inc. merged into the SM/SM Federal Credit Union.  New members included: St. Barnabas Catholic Parish (Northfield), St. Mary Catholic Parish (Bedford), St. Pius X Parish (Bedford), and Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish (Macedonia).
  • The first branch opened on July 1, 1999, in Northfield.

The New Millennium

  • On April 5, 2000, the SM/SM Federal Credit Union website was launched.
  • During 2002, a 12,000 square foot addition to the credit union’s main office in back of St. Monica Church (Garfield Heights) was completed.
  • Also in 2002, a 7,200 square foot new branch was constructed in the Alexandria Square Commons on State Route 82 in Macedonia.  This replaced the Northfield Branch.
  • On April 15, 2004, SM/SM Federal Credit Union officially expanded membership eligibility to all employees, members, and students of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland.
  • In July 2004, St. Michael Catholic Parish (Independence) joined the family.
  • On July 29, 2004, the name was changed to Ohio Catholic Federal Credit Union (OCFCU).
  • October 2004, Ohio Catholic FCU offered federally insured student loans and elementary and secondary Catholic School Tuition Loans.
  • In January 2005, St. Rocco (Cleveland) and St. Matthew (Akron) joined the Ohio Catholic FCU family.
  • January 2005, Ohio Catholic FCU officially opened the Cleveland West branch in Lin’s Omni Square at 3167 Fulton Road and the Akron branch at 526 Canton Road.
  • July 2006, Ohio Catholic FCU offered VISA gift cards.
  • In January 2007, St. Albert the Great (North Royalton) joined the Ohio Catholic FCU family.
  • On June 1, 2007, Ohio Catholic FCU converted to a new data processor, CU*Answers.
  • July of 2008, Ohio Catholic FCU offered members Advantage Share Certificate and Reward Points for using the Ohio Catholic FCU VISA cards.
  • October of 2008, Ohio Catholic FCU opened the North Royalton Branch at 5251 Wallings Road in Cleats Plaza.
  • January 2009, Ohio Catholic FCU was pleased to announce our new Tuition Forgiveness Program.  Each year, ten members utilizing our tuition loan program will have one month of tuition forgiven.
  • August of 2009, Ohio Catholic FCU marked a milestone in its history by reaching one-half of one billion dollars in loans.
  • In November 2009, the Independence office was merged into the other four branch locations.
  • In November 2009, the Cleveland West office hours were expanded to full time.
  • December of 2009, Ohio Catholic FCU partnered with the Diocese of Cleveland and the Office of Catholic Education to be the primary sponsor of the 2010 Catholic Schools Campaign.

2010’s

  • January 2010 Ohio Catholic FCU appeared on the Robin Swoboda Show to promote Catholic education.
  • February 2010, the Akron office relocated to 1900 West Market Street, Akron.  The new location offers many member friendly attributes including two drive-up teller stations and a night deposit box.  Full-time hours of operation were implemented.
  • March 2010 Ohio Catholic FCU made three appearances on the Good Company Show to promote the benefits of joining a credit union and the unique attributes of being a Catholic credit union.
  • March 2010, Ohio Catholic FCU adds It’s Me 247 Mobile Web Banking and eDoc to its portfolio of services.
  • July 2010, Ohio Catholic FCU launches redesigned website. 

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